E. coli outbreak sickens kids in Iceland

Ten children in Iceland have been infected with a type of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC).

Affected children are from the Mánagarð kindergarten in the Vesturbær district of Reykjavík. More than 100 children attend the center.

PCR tests on fecal samples detected infections, but the results of bacterial cultures are awaiting confirmation. Landlaeknir (The Directorate of Health) said it may take a few more days to get these results.

The origin of the infections has not been confirmed, but officials suspect the source is food-related.

Symptoms have varied in severity but mainly include diarrhea and bloody diarrhea. One child is seriously ill in the intensive care unit.

Four of the children were at Barnaspítali Hringins, a children’s hospital, and another four were in the hospital’s emergency department for further assessment.

The kindergarten has been temporarily closed while the incident is investigated.

An investigation team includes epidemiologists, doctors, the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST), and Matis, a government-owned research company.

The Reykjavík Public Health Authority is investigating to learn more about the potential food source and is advising the nursery on cleaning.

Landlaeknir’s advice included careful handwashing and general hygiene, such as always washing hands well before and after eating.

If a child has minor or mild symptoms of an intestinal infection, contact the health care information center for further instructions. If they have severe symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or weakness, contact the children’s emergency department at Landspítala Hospital.

In 2023, 14 people were diagnosed with confirmed or possible E. coli infection in Iceland. This included two children aged 1 and 11 and 12 adults aged 22 to 86.

About E. coli infections

Anyone who has developed symptoms of E. coli infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about their possible food poisoning. Specific tests are required to diagnose the infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

The symptoms of E. coli infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, which is frequently bloody. Some patients may also have a fever. Most patients recover within five to seven days. Others can develop severe or life-threatening symptoms and complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

About 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with E. coli infections develop a potentially life-threatening kidney failure complication known as a hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include fever, abdominal pain, tiredness, decreased frequency of urination, small unexplained bruises or bleeding, and pallor. 

Many people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent injuries or death. This condition can occur among people of any age but is most common in children younger than five years old because of their immature immune systems, older adults because of deteriorating immune systems, and people with compromised immune systems such as cancer patients. 

People who experience HUS symptoms should immediately seek emergency medical care. People with HUS will likely be hospitalized because the condition can cause other serious and ongoing problems such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, brain damage, and neurologic problems.

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